babble home
rabble.ca - news for the rest of us
today's active topics


Post New Topic  Post A Reply
FAQ | Forum Home
  next oldest topic   next newest topic
» babble   » walking the talk   » aboriginal issues and culture   » Some help about the status card would be appreciated

Email this thread to someone!    
Author Topic: Some help about the status card would be appreciated
dw_ptbo
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 15301

posted 03 August 2008 09:18 AM      Profile for dw_ptbo     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Perhaps some people can clear some things up for me. I am very interested in aboriginal issues yet I find the status card and Indian Act provisions about it confusing. I currently work in a book store and have had no formal training on what to do with status card purchases. From what I understand, books are PST exempt if they are used on a reserve. How do I know they are used on a reserve? (I don't, but I would feel awkward asking so I always give the benefit of the doubt). I had two purchases yesterday before looking into the matter, one I put all the taxes off as I didn't know what to do so I just hit no tax. Then I found out (I think) that its just PST, and on the next purchase just removed PST.
Does anyone else get confused by this or find these situations awkward as myself and customers sometimes do?

Any insight or experiences on this topic would be appreciated. Many thanks.


From: Toronto | Registered: Jun 2008  |  IP: Logged
Michelle
Moderator
Babbler # 560

posted 03 August 2008 10:01 AM      Profile for Michelle   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
If I'm not mistaken, you do not charge any tax at all when someone shows you their status card. No GST, no PST. There are rules about where the good or service is consumed (if off reserve, then it's taxable, if on reserve, it is not taxable). For basic goods like books and stuff, you can't charge tax if you're shown a status card, and I certainly would never question someone on where they're going to use the product - if they're showing you their card, then they're already telling you what you need to know. Anyone with a status card almost certainly knows the rules, and if they're showing you their card, the only interpretation for you questioning where they're using the product is that you suspect they're lying or misrepresenting themselves. The only time it might be relevant is if you're delivering the goods to a non-reserve address (irrelevant in your case since they're buying the books from you at the store) or if you're providing a service at a non-reserve address (also irrelevant since you're selling goods, not providing a service).

Official info here.

It applies to GST as well.


From: I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell. | Registered: May 2001  |  IP: Logged
dw_ptbo
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 15301

posted 03 August 2008 06:18 PM      Profile for dw_ptbo     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Thanks for the information.
From: Toronto | Registered: Jun 2008  |  IP: Logged
Ottawa-Eeyou
recent-rabble-rouser
Babbler # 15401

posted 06 August 2008 06:09 PM      Profile for Ottawa-Eeyou     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Wachiya dw_ptbo,
saw your question concerning the Status Card and i thought i should add to the answer you got.
i live in quebec where status card isnt really used cause we cant be exempt to QST.
just wanted to let you know that you only take off PST when an individual makes a purchase once you take down their band number (red numbers).
both GST and PST are taken off only if the product is delived to the rez which really doesnt make a difference once you include the cost to transport it to the rez (which in most cases is 500km from anywhere).

hope this helped a bit


From: Gatineau | Registered: Aug 2008  |  IP: Logged
RevolutionPlease
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 14629

posted 06 August 2008 06:17 PM      Profile for RevolutionPlease     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 

From: Aurora | Registered: Oct 2007  |  IP: Logged
oldgoat
Moderator
Babbler # 1130

posted 06 August 2008 06:23 PM      Profile for oldgoat     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
Originally posted by RevolutionPlease:


Is there a point you'd like to make RP?


From: The 10th circle | Registered: Jul 2001  |  IP: Logged
RevolutionPlease
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 14629

posted 06 August 2008 06:31 PM      Profile for RevolutionPlease     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I just don't think that comments like the rez is 500km from anywhere should be casually inserted. My apologies oldgoat.
From: Aurora | Registered: Oct 2007  |  IP: Logged
RevolutionPlease
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 14629

posted 06 August 2008 06:34 PM      Profile for RevolutionPlease     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Just overly sensitive for some reason.
From: Aurora | Registered: Oct 2007  |  IP: Logged
Michelle
Moderator
Babbler # 560

posted 06 August 2008 11:50 PM      Profile for Michelle   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
Originally posted by Ottawa-Eeyou:
both GST and PST are taken off only if the product is delived to the rez which really doesnt make a difference once you include the cost to transport it to the rez

Really? I thought I saw a provision on the Government of Canada site that makes an exception for status Indians who are transporting the goods to the reserve themselves (which I assume covers any off-rez shopping). Having worked retail at a bakery in Kingston, which is quite close to Tyendinaga, I would occasionally get status cards, and would honour them. I didn't remember having to write down any numbers either, but maybe I was supposed to and just didn't know it since I wasn't trained to do that. Of course, that was 15 years ago, too.

quote:
Exceptions are detailed under Taxable Purchases in this guide. If a Status Indian, Indian band or band council takes the purchases with them, vendors should note the Status Indian's federal "Certificate of Indian Status" card number, name, and Indian band or registry number, and a brief description of the goods or services sold, in their records.

Oh wait - that's just referring to the RST, right? But you're saying that in the case of the GST, the only time it's exempted is if the goods are actually being delivered to the reserve?

That's a rather obnoxious and paternalistic rule, isn't it??

[ 06 August 2008: Message edited by: Michelle ]


From: I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell. | Registered: May 2001  |  IP: Logged
bigcitygal
Volunteer Moderator
Babbler # 8938

posted 07 August 2008 03:42 AM      Profile for bigcitygal     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
dw_ptbo: From what I understand, books are PST exempt if they are used on a reserve.

Books, in Ontario, are GST exempt for any person with a status card. Use of said purchases are unknown and irrelevant to the non-charging of GST.

To the best of my knowledge, PST is not applied to books, since it was not charged on books for the 10 years I worked as a bookseller in Ontario. The store I worked for had two tax codes, one for GST only, one for both GST and PST. PST was charged to all non-book items such as magazines, t-shirts and other gift items.

Hope this helps with your interest in aboriginal issues.


From: It's difficult to work in a group when you're omnipotent - Q | Registered: Apr 2005  |  IP: Logged
dw_ptbo
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 15301

posted 07 August 2008 03:26 PM      Profile for dw_ptbo     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
It does! Thank you (Migwetch).
From: Toronto | Registered: Jun 2008  |  IP: Logged
SavageInTheCity
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 11625

posted 08 August 2008 06:04 PM      Profile for SavageInTheCity     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I live in Kitigan Zibi, QC.

Some businesses in Maniwaki (the adjacent municipality), do not accept Status Cards. It is entirely up to the retailer. As I understand it, natives can claim those taxes on end-year tax returns. Ex - I've heard of people buying gas in the "city", and claiming it on year end returns. It can be a lengthy process, but you will get your money.

I work in retail, off-reserve, and its a touchy issue. If the goods are not delivered, we have an obligation to charge the tax. It's the law.... Makes me comfortable, *sarcasm added* dealing with my neighbours sometimes. I don't want to charge them, but it's the law......but it's a 10000$ fine minimum, if you get caught.....that hurts a profit margin.ya think?

As said above, it is many times cheaper to pay the tax than the delivery fee....so why not....it's simply another divide&conquer tactic in my book.....

To answer the initial question - in quebec, it's entirely up to the retailer, as natives can claim on their income tax. Again, I've never had to go that route, but it can be done....not particularly great for customer relations

ETA - Does my name ''SavageInTheCity'' mean anything more to anyone now?

[ 08 August 2008: Message edited by: SavageInTheCity ]


From: INAC's Showcase | Registered: Jan 2006  |  IP: Logged

All times are Pacific Time  

Post New Topic  Post A Reply Close Topic    Move Topic    Delete Topic next oldest topic   next newest topic
Hop To:

Contact Us | rabble.ca | Policy Statement

Copyright 2001-2008 rabble.ca